Effect of cross exercise on quadriceps acceleration reaction time and subjective scores (Lysholm questionnaire) following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Background  

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury or reconstruction can cause knee impairments and disability. Knee impairments are related to quadriceps performance – accelerated reaction time (ART) – and disability to performance of daily living activities which is assessed by questionnaires such as the Lysholm knee score. The purposes of this study were to investigate the effect of cross exercise, as supplementary rehabilitation to the early phase of ACL reconstruction: a) on quadriceps ART at the angles 45°, 60° and 90° of knee flexion and, b) on the subjective scores of disability in ACL reconstructed patients.     

Dietary Interventions with Polyphenols in Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review Directed from the Preclinical Data to Randomized Clinical Studies

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and a major cause of limited functionality and thus a decrease in the quality of life of the inflicted. Given the fact that the existing pharmacological treatments lack disease-modifying properties and their use entails significant side effects, nutraceuticals with bioactive compounds constitute an interesting field of research. Polyphenols are plant-derived molecules with established anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that have been extensively evaluated in clinical settings and preclinical models in OA. As more knowledge is gained in the research field, an interesting approach in the management of OA is the additive and/or synergistic effects that polyphenols may have in an optimized supplement. Therefore, the aim of this review was to summarize the recent literature regarding the use of combined polyphenols in the management of OA. For that purpose, a PubMed literature survey was conducted with a focus on some preclinical osteoarthritis models and randomized clinical trials on patients with osteoarthritis from 2018 to 2021 which have evaluated the effect of combinations of polyphenol-rich extracts and purified polyphenol constituents. Data indicate that combined polyphenols may be promising for the treatment of osteoarthritis in the future, but more clinical trials with novel approaches in the identification of the in-between relationship of such constituents are needed.     

Acid Generation and Heavy Metal Leachability from Lignite Spoil Heaps: Impact to the Topsoils of Oropos Basin,North Attica,Greece

The disposal of lignite spoil and tailings poses a major environmental problem in lignite mining sites which is associated with the oxidation of sulfide minerals contained in the primary ore. This process renders acidic effluents. Lignite mining in the Oropos Neogene basin, North Attica, Greece operated since the last century and ceased in the late 1960s. Piles of complex waste material are dispersed close to the mining sites. The high sulfur content and low Net Neutralization Potential, i.e. values < − 20 CaCO₃ kg/t in most analyzed waste samples, indicate that the waste is prone to acid generation. The leachates (EN12457) from the lignite spoils showed high concentrations in Ni and Zn exceeding the EU regulatory limits for the non-hazardous wastes. GIS-based geochemical maps of the topsoil showed enrichment in Ni (Cr, V) associated with the regional geogenic enrichment but also local accumulation around the hot spot sites of lignite spoil heaps.

     

Resident decision-making in the context of residential aged care

Background

Worldwide research confirms that older people value autonomy, want to remain independent and want control over their lives for as long as possible. Accordingly, the aged care system in Australia is undergoing major government-initiated reforms and is moving towards consumer directed care.

Brief Report: Parent Perspectives on Sensory-Based Interventions for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Sensory-Based Interventions (SBIs) are often recommended to enable function/participation in children with ASD. Still, there are limited studies to evaluate their effectiveness. Acceptability studies are an important step towards establishing effective interventions. We examined parents' perceptions of the uptake and acceptability of such interventions. An online survey was sent to 399 families; response rate was 39%. The most frequently therapist-recommended interventions were trampoline (54.6%), massage (47.8%), and oral-motor tools (43.8%). Highest use was reported for massage (96.3%), trampoline (89.2%) and joint compressions and brushing (89.2%). The majority of parents viewed these interventions to be very important /important, (74.8%) but barriers to their use were identified. High acceptability of SBIs was reported by parents of children with ASD.

     

Differences in the morphology of spinal V2a neurons reflect their recruitment order during swimming in larval zebrafish

Networks of neurons in spinal cord generate locomotion. However, little is known about potential differences in network architecture that underlie the production of varying speeds of movement. In larval zebrafish, as swimming speed increases, Chx10‐positive V2a excitatory premotor interneurons are activated from ventral to dorsal in a topographic pattern that parallels axial motoneuron recruitment. Here, we examined whether differences in the morphology and synaptic output of V2a neurons reflect their recruitment order during swimming. To do so, we used in vivo single‐cell labeling approaches to quantify the dorsoventral distribution of V2a axonal projections and synapses. Two different classes of V2a neurons are described, cells with ascending and descending axons and cells that are only descending. Among the purely descending V2a cells, more dorsal cells project longer distances than ventral ones. Proximally, all V2a neurons have axonal distributions that suggest potential connections to cells at and below their own soma positions. At more distal locations, V2a axons project dorsally, which creates a cumulative intersegmental bias to dorsally located spinal neurons. Assessments of the synapse distribution of V2a cells, reported by synaptophysin expression, support the morphological observations and also demonstrate that dorsal V2a cells have higher synapse densities proximally. Our results suggest that V2a cells with more potential output to spinal neurons are systematically engaged during increases in swimming frequency. The findings help explain patterns of axial motoneuron recruitment and set up clear predictions for future physiological studies examining the nature of spinal excitatory network connectivity as it relates to movement intensity. J. Comp. Neurol. 522:1232–1248, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Activity training on the ground in children with cerebral palsy: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose: To systematically review the evidence about whether activity training on the ground is effective on activity or participation in children with cerebral palsy. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched in databases using relevant keywords. RCTs were included with children (≤18 years) with cerebral palsy who received activity training on the ground only or activity training on the ground combined with another type of physiotherapy. Outcome measures classified as measures of activity or participation according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health were analyzed. Results: Nine RCTs (257 participants) were included in this review. Individual studies resulted in conflicting results when activity training on the ground was compared to no intervention. Based on meta-analysis, activity training on the ground was not more effective than no intervention (standardized mean difference [SMD]: 0.18; confidence interval [CI]: ?1.49 to 1.86) or other therapies (SMD: ?0.09; CI: ?0.86 to 0.69) (I² > 75%) on improving activity or participation. Results from a single study demonstrated that activity training on the ground combined with other physiotherapy intervention was not more effective than no intervention (SMD: ?0.18 CI: ?0.89 to 0.54). Conclusions: The available evidence shows little effect of activity training on the ground on activity or participation in children with cerebral palsy, suggesting that rigorous trials with larger samples and larger “dosage” of activity training on the ground are needed in the future.     

Mutant polycystin-2 induces proliferation in primary rat tubular epithelial cells in a STAT-1/p21-independent fashion accompanied instead by alterations in expression of p57KIP2 and Cdk2

Background

Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) is characterized by the formation of multiple fluid-filled cysts that destroy the kidney architecture resulting in end-stage renal failure. Mutations in genes PKD1 and PKD2 account for nearly all cases of ADPKD. Increased cell proliferation is one of the key features of the disease. Several studies indicated that polycystin-1 regulates cellular proliferation through various signaling pathways, but little is known about the role played by polycystin-2, the product of PKD2. Recently, it was reported that as with polycystin-1, polycystin-2 can act as a negative regulator of cell growth by modulating the levels of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, p21 and the activity of the cyclin-dependent kinase 2, Cdk2.

Methods

Here we utilized different kidney cell-lines expressing wild-type and mutant PKD2 as well as primary tubular epithelial cells isolated from a PKD transgenic rat to further explore the contribution of the p21/Cdk2 pathway in ADPKD proliferation.

Results

Surprisingly, over-expression of wild-type PKD2 in renal cell lines failed to inactivate Cdk2 and consequently had no effect on cell proliferation. On the other hand, expression of mutated PKD2 augmented proliferation only in the primary tubular epithelial cells of a rat model but this was independent of the STAT-1/p21 pathway. On the contrary, multiple approaches revealed unequivocally that expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, p57^KIP2, is downregulated, while p21 remains unchanged. This p57 reduction is accompanied by an increase in Cdk2 levels.

Conclusion

Our results indicate the probable involvement of p57^KIP2 on epithelial cell proliferation in ADPKD implicating a new mechanism for mutant polycystin-2 induced proliferation. Most importantly, contrary to previous studies, abnormal proliferation in cells expressing mutant polycystin-2 appears to be independent of STAT-1/p21.     

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and association with microvessel density in benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer

BACKGROUND: Tumor angiogenesis is an absolute requirement for tumor growth and a prognostic factor for various malignant neoplasms. Recent reports in the literature have addressed the importance of the VEGF system in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and adenocarcinoma, however the results are controversial. The aim of the present study was to determine and compare the levels of VEGF expression and vascularity in BPH and prostate carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined 60 prostate adenocarcinomas and 64 benign prostatic hyperplasias. Angiogenesis was estimated by determining microvessel counts (MVC), with the use of anti-CD31 and anti-CD34 antibodies. Expression of VEGF was also evaluated immunohistochemically. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Our data showed that angiogenesis was more prominent in carcinomas than in BPH. Furthermore, increased MVC was significantly associated with high-grade carcinomas. Angiogenesis was correlated with VEGF expression and it was, at least in part, mediated by the latter. Thus, prostate adenocarcinoma may represent a suitable neoplasm for antiangiogenic treatment in combination with conventional therapies.